ROCHESTER, NY – The Rochester Red Wings are proud to join the Washington Nationals in announcing that three players who appeared for Rochester this season have been selected as recipients of Washington’s 2026 Minor League Awards. SEAVER KING has been named Offensive Player of the Year, ANDREW PINCKNEY has been selected as Defensive Player of the Year, and MAXWELL ROMERO JR. has received the Nationals Way Award.
- Hitter of the Year – Infielder Seaver King
- Defensive Player of the Year – Outfielder Andrew Pinckney
- Nationals Way Award – Catcher Maxwell Romero Jr.
Seaver King, 23, has put together a breakout season between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. Through August 30, the infielder is batting .316 across 94 games with 118 hits, 19 doubles, five triples, 19 home runs, 70 RBI, 77 runs scored, 44 walks and 14 stolen bases. He has posted a .397 on-base percentage, .545 slugging percentage and a .942 OPS.
King began the season with Harrisburg, batting .336 with 10 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 27 RBI and a .989 OPS in 35 games. Following his promotion to Rochester in May, the Nationals’ 2024 first-round selection has batted .304 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI and a .914 OPS in 59 games. King, the 10th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, has established career highs in nearly every offensive category and is currently ranked by MLB Pipeline as Washington’s No. 4 prospect.
Andrew Pinckney, 25, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after displaying exceptional range, athleticism, and versatility throughout the Rochester outfield. Pinckney appeared at all three outfield positions for the Red Wings, recording a .991 fielding percentage with 211 putouts, four assists, and just two errors in 217 total chances. He did not commit an error while playing either left or right field.
At the plate, Pinckney batted .271 with 92 hits, 11 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 51 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 94 games. Washington selected his contract on August 4, and he made his Major League debut the following night. Pinckney’s first Major League hit came on August 6, when he launched a 402-foot home run against Philadelphia. After receiving the Nationals Way Award in 2025, Pinckney has now earned Nationals organizational honors in consecutive seasons.
Maxwell Romero Jr., 25, received the Nationals Way Award, which recognizes the Minor Leaguer who best demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination, and work ethic required to play the game the Washington Nationals Way.
Through August 28, Romero is batting .249 across 84 games between Harrisburg and Rochester with 17 doubles, 20 home runs, 56 RBI, 49 runs scored, and 47 walks. He has posted a .366 on-base percentage, .516 slugging percentage, and an .882 OPS. Since joining Rochester on July 17, the catcher has hit .263 with five doubles, seven home runs, 21 RBI, and an .890 OPS in 28 games. His preparation, leadership behind the plate, and commitment to his teammates and pitching staffs at both levels embodied the standards recognized by the award.
“All three of these players earned this recognition through the way they prepared, worked, and competed every day,” said Red Wings Manager MATT LECROY. “Seaver’s development and offensive production have been outstanding, Andrew impacted games with his athleticism and defense all over the outfield, and Max brought tremendous preparation and leadership to our clubhouse and pitching staff. I’m extremely proud of what each of them accomplished.”
“We are thrilled to see Seaver, Andrew, and Max receive these well-deserved honors,” said Red Wings General Manager DAN MASON. “Each made an important contribution in Rochester this season, and seeing Andrew reach the Major Leagues was especially gratifying. Beyond their talent, all three represented the Red Wings and Nationals organizations with class. We look forward to following their continued success.”
King, Pinckney, and Romero Jr. distinguished themselves within the Nationals organization through their performances, preparation, and leadership throughout the 2026 season. Each made a significant impact during his time in Rochester, and the entire Red Wings organization congratulates them on their well-earned honors.
The Rochester Red Wings are operated by Rochester Community Baseball, Inc., and have been a community-owned professional franchise since 1957. Professional baseball has been played in Rochester since 1899, making the Red Wings one of the longest continuously operating franchises in North American sports. Since the opening of ESL Ballpark in 1997, the venue has welcomed nearly 12.5 million fans.